‘Makepeace was a life-changing role’

ACTRESS Glynis Barber is coming to Henley on Sunday, when she will be among the authors appearing on the final

ACTRESS Glynis Barber is coming to Henley on Sunday, when she will be among the authors appearing on the final day of this year’s Henley Literary Festival.

Co-authored with nutritional therapist Fleur Borelli, her book The In-Sync Diet came out in April and has been proving a sales success.

Glynis has also had a busy year as an actress, appearing in the West End hit Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, in the role of Carole’s mother.

Having previously made her name as the aristocratic Sergeant Harriet Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace, she recently won over a new generation of TV viewers with her performances in EastEnders.

When she spoke to the Henley Standard ahead of her literary festival appearance, we asked if she had a favourite film or television role.

“It’s hard to say. Different roles mean different things. Some of them were just fun to do because of the people. Sometimes you love the character. I mean, I did love my character Glenda Mitchell in EastEnders because she was such fun and so mischievous and such a troublemaker, so that was great fun to play, extremely hard work.

“Obviously, Makepeace was a life-changing experience for me... I enjoy every role in a different way and I love playing different parts and not just sticking to one thing.

“People often say ‘Do you ever go and watch back old episodes of Dempsey and Makepeace?’ Never! I wouldn’t dream of it. No, for some reason I have no interest at all, really.

“I mean, if it was right there in front of me for a second [on TV] I might look at it for a minute. But that’s about it, really.

“It always amazes me that [the show] had such an impact. It resonated with people and it’s remained with them. It’s absolutely amazing — after all these years. There are still lots of fans out there, so that’s great, really.”